King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 52:27 Mean?

Jeremiah 52:27 in the King James Version says “And the king of Babylon smote them, and put them to death in Riblah in the land of Hamath. Thus Judah was carried away c...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 52 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the king of Babylon smote them, and put them to death in Riblah in the land of Hamath. Thus Judah was carried away captive out of his own land.”

Jeremiah 52:27 · KJV

Context

25

He took also out of the city an eunuch, which had the charge of the men of war; and seven men of them that were near the king's person, which were found in the city; and the principal scribe of the host, who mustered the people of the land; and threescore men of the people of the land, that were found in the midst of the city. were near: Heb. saw the face of the king principal: or, scribe of the captain of the host

26

So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard took them, and brought them to the king of Babylon to Riblah.

27

And the king of Babylon smote them, and put them to death in Riblah in the land of Hamath. Thus Judah was carried away captive out of his own land.

28

This is the people whom Nebuchadrezzar carried away captive: in the seventh year three thousand Jews and three and twenty:

29

In the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar he carried away captive from Jerusalem eight hundred thirty and two persons: persons: Heb. souls

Read Jeremiah 52 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The king of Babylon smote them, and put them to death (וַיַּךְ אֹתָם...וַיְמִיתֵם)—execution, not merely captivity. The verb מוּת (death) is emphatic. In Riblah in the land of Hamath—northern Syria, symbolically far from the Promised Land. Thus Judah was carried away captive out of his own land (וַיִּגֶל יְהוּדָה מֵעַל אַדְמָתוֹ)—exile, reversing the Exodus.

This verse is the theological climax: covenant curses fulfilled (Leviticus 26:27-33; Deuteronomy 28:36). The land promised to Abraham's seed was lost through covenant unfaithfulness. Yet 'carried away' (galah) also appears in restoration prophecies (Jeremiah 29:14), hinting that exile is not final.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The execution of Judah's leaders at Riblah (586 BC) parallels the execution of Zedekiah's sons there, followed by his blinding (v. 10-11). This double tragedy ended the Davidic monarchy until the Messiah's coming, creating a 600-year gap in the royal line.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the phrase 'out of his own land' emphasize the reversal of God's covenant promises through disobedience?
  2. What hope does the prophetic use of 'exile' language elsewhere in Jeremiah offer even in this darkest moment?
  3. In what ways might you be experiencing spiritual 'exile' from God's blessing due to covenant unfaithfulness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וַיַּכֶּ֣ה1 of 12

“smote”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

אוֹתָם֩2 of 12
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מֶ֨לֶךְ3 of 12

“And the king”

H4428

a king

בָּבֶ֧ל4 of 12

“of Babylon”

H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

וַיְמִתֵ֛ם5 of 12

“them and put them to death”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

בְּרִבְלָ֖ה6 of 12

“in Riblah”

H7247

riblah, a place in syria

בְּאֶ֣רֶץ7 of 12

“out of his own land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

חֲמָ֑ת8 of 12

“of Hamath”

H2574

chamath, a place in syria

וַיִּ֥גֶל9 of 12

“was carried away captive”

H1540

to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal

יְהוּדָ֖ה10 of 12

“Thus Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

מֵעַ֥ל11 of 12
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אַדְמָתֽוֹ׃12 of 12

“in the land”

H127

soil (from its general redness)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 52:27 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 52:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 6:11-12Isaiah 32:13-14Ezekiel 8:11-18Ezekiel 33:28Micah 4:10Jeremiah 25:9-11

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
Hamath 1Settlement · Modern: Hama · 35.14°N, 36.75°E21 verses across 9 books
Riblah 1Settlement · Modern: Rableh · 34.46°N, 36.57°E11 verses across 3 books
View all places in Jeremiah 52 →

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